Automatic journal box lid operator

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to mechanism for automatically closing or opening the lids of journal boxes for lubricating railway cars. A bottom carriage is provided movable parallel to a railroad track, and by engaging an abutment by the car, the bottom carriage is caused to bear a predetermined relation to the journal box door. On the bottom carriage there is a top carriage moving toward and away from the track. The top carriage supports manipulator means, which opens or closes the door and operates on the trailing edge of the door. A limiter is provided to prevent excessive opening of the door. The manipulator means is supported on trunnions and the trunnions are slidable against spring restraint to go over an obstruction.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Franklin 6. Fisher 1,332,797 3/1920Brink 104/26 (R) wyomlsging; 3,155,191 11/1964 Nelson 184/2 Luther L.Bolllnger, Sr., Reading, Pa. 3,425,513 2/ 1969 Fisher et a1. 184/2 [21]Appl. No. 795,462 3,429,469 2/1969 Peterson 214/6 (K) (22] Filed Jan.31, 1969 2,927,770 3/1960 Erickson et a1. 254/84 [451 Patented June 22,1971 2,988,237 6/ 1961 Devol, Jr. 214/11 [73] Assignee Reading Company3,034,675 /1962 Quayle 214/730 7 Philadelphia, Pa. 3,106,305 10/1963Gehring.... 214/730 Continuation-impart or application Ser. No.3,361,280 1/ 1968 Traver 214/650 (SG) 760,812, Sept. 19,1968, nowabandoned. 3,390,798 7/1968 Dixon 214/730 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. LaPoint "*P iii?!32321551133313.1232...es

ZSChhns, 11 Drawingfigs. Y

[52] U.S.C1 104/26 R, I w A 49/3l49/262' 104/1 104/18 104/51- ABSTRACT:The invention relates to mechanism for auto- 105/34], 105/349 l [84/2314/42 matically closing or opening the lids of journal boxes for220/24 254/84 308/45 lubricating railway cars. A bottom carriage isprovided movallll. "B616 ble to a railroad track and engaging anabutment Eosf 13/02, Fmm by the car, the bottom carriage is caused tobear a predeter- Fkldofscardl 49/262, 31; mined relation to the journalbox door o he bottom cap 214/1 1, 650 S6, 730, 6 K, 42 R, 53, riagethere is a top carriage moving toward and away from the 104/11 26; 105/]349; 184/1 2; track. The top carriage supports manipulator means, which220/24 J; 308/45 opens or closes the door and operates on the trailingedge of the door. A limiter is provided to prevent excessive opening of{56] References Cited the door. The manipulator means is supported ontrunnions UNITED STATES PATENTS and the trunnions are slidable againstspring restraint to go 1,009,072 11/1911 Johnson 214/42 over anobstruction.

s 1 l s l 4444424 I a g TB 111 ii #2 f 7; l l 1 9 a; a 11 M w 1 30; I QI 7f 30 I Q! l M 11 I PATENTEBJUHZZIHYI 3585,9138

sum 01 0F 10 ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUH22|97| r 3,585,938

SHEET 03 HF 10 Z543. 12 //4 jg z z; 30/ 16W jag l V E N TO RS ATTORNEYSosurdo SHEET PATENTEU JUH22 I9?! mm jom PATENTEDJUHZZIHYI 3,585,938 sum070F110 zj m PATENTEUJUNZZIQYI 3.5 593 sum 08 [1F 10 ATTORNEYSPATENTEDJUNZZIQYI 3,585,938

SHEET [19 [1F 1 0 INV N ORS 25-4 Km 6. {is a) in! erL.50//z z e;;6'n

ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JUN22 l97l SHEET 10 0F ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC JOURNALBOX LII) OPERATOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION present application is acontinuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 760,812,filed Sept. 19, I968 for Automatic Journal Box Lid Closer, nowabandoned.

The present invention relates to automatic closing or opening mechanismfor use particularly on the standard American Railway Associationjournal box to close or open the lid after or before inspection orlubrication.

A purpose of the invention is to center a carriage moving with a railwaycar at the proper position with respect to the center of the journal boxby engaging a suitable part of the car, preferably the car wheel, andthus reliably position a closer or opener for the lid of a journal box.

A further purpose is to move a bottom carriage supporting the closer oropener with the railway car as the car travels on its track.

A further purpose is to maintain the closer or opener cocked in thetrailing direction from the vertical, to more the closer or opener on atop carriage to a position beneath the journal box lid while it is stillso cocked, to move the closer or opener head to its starting position ifnecessary, to bring the closer or opener to an erect position adjacentthe lid, to move the closer or opener in the operative direction tomanipulate the lid, then to rock the closer or opener into cockedposition to move the closer or opener down if desired, and retract thetop carriage.

A further purpose is to mount the closer or opener on a piston rod in acylinder, and to spring urge the cylinder toward a position at which thecloser or opener can make its operative stroke and manipulate thejournal box lid while permitting the closer or opener to deviate fromits normal path against the action of the springs in order to escapeinterference with parts of the journal box or the lip, and to guardagainst shock.

A further purpose is to retract the manipulator away from the railwaycar and move the bottom carriage back toward its initial position as thebottom carriage approaches the end of its stroke.

A further purpose is to move a limiter into the path of the lid ahead ofthe opener in order to restrict the extent of opening of the lid, thelimiter preferably absorbing shock.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings we have chosen to illustrate two only of the numerousembodiments in which the invention may appear, selecting the forms shownfrom the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactoryoperation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

While many aspects of both manipulators are the same, FIGS. I to 6inclusive are directed particularly to the closer, the remaining figuresshowing features of the opener in so far as it may differ from thecloser.

FIG. I is a diagrammatic elevation looking toward the side of the trackof the closer, showing mechanism on the bottom carriage for raising aroller, but in position below the track.

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the roller erected toengage a railway car wheel.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the closer device of the invention, linedup and moving forward with a railway car, shown diagrammatically, with adiagrammatic illustration of the journal box lid, illustratingparticularly the bottom carriage and top carriage and the closer itselfin elevated position.

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary vertical section showing a typical constructionof a hinge of a journal box lid.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the closer of the invention,showing the closer remote from the car and in lowered position.

FIG. Sis a diagram ofthe fluid system of the closer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the electrical system of the closer.

FIGS. 7 to 10 relate particularly to the opener.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section, parallel to the rail, showing the openercylinder erect and the opener engaging the lid from the trailing edge,preparing to open the lid.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section through the axis of the carwheel, showing the lid open and the limiter absorbing the shock.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section, parallel to the rail, showingthe lid open and the limiter absorbing the shock.

FIG. 10 is an electric circuit diagram for the opener.

In the prior art delay and labor is involved in lubricating journalboxes on railway cars, both passenger and freight. Automatic lubricatorshave been developed which will insert lubrication into the journal box.It is still, however, necessary in many cases to close and open thejournal box lids manually and this requires stopping the train.

The problem is complicated by the fact that some cars are equipped withroller bearings which do not have lids capable of being opened.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that many railway carshave an obstruction, such as a step, in front of the open lid of thejournal box, which prevents moving straight in toward the car to closeit.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to permitthe car or the train to advance adjacent lubrication point and afterencountering the lubricator, to close the lids of the journal boxesautomatically while the car is in motion, or before encountering thelubricator to open the journal box lids automatically. When reference ismade to lubrication herein, it will be understood that in some cases itmay be accompanied by inspection and in some cases the function may beone of inspection rather than lubrication.

It will be evident that in normal operation, journal box closers andopeners will be used on both sides of the track, but it will besufficient to describe one closer or opener, it being evident that thecloser or opener on the other side of the track will usually be similar.

First describing the closer, the railway cars are moving on rails 40, itbeing evident that the cars have trucks provided with axles 41 carryingcar wheels 42, the axles being provided with journals 43 showndiagrammatically, and having journal boxes 44 which have bottom walls45, sidewalls 46, and at the outer ends upwardly sloping walls 47 to alubrication opening 48.

The lubrication opening is closed by a lid 50 which in open positionsticks almost straight out as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, is hinged by ahinge 52 which is of the well-known type which has built-in spring meansto hold it open when it is open and to hold it closed when it is closed,and to bias it toward either position when it passes an intermediatepoint.

A typical construction of the hinge of a journal box lid is shown inFIG. 3a. There the hinge turns about a hinge pin 53, and the lid carriesa lever-type spring 54 mounting at the outer end of the lever a rollerfollower 55 which rides a cam 56. The cam has corresponding to amidposition of the lid a nose 57 and has sharply diverging side faces 58and 60 each of which is adapted to actuate the lid toward one limitingposition (either open or closed) when the roller follower has passedover the nose 57 in that direction.

It will be evident that other types of lid hinge construction as wellknown in the art are equally effective to bias the lid toward open orclosed position as the case may be.

The closer of the present invention involves a bottom carriage which isslidably mounted on spaced horizontal longitudinal guides 71 supportedat opposite ends at the side of the railway track by beams 72. It willbe understood that the guides 71 extend parallel to the track. Thebottom carriage 70 is mounted in slidable relation to the guides 71 bysliding bearings 73, suitably ball bearings, as well known.

Mounted on the bottom carriage 70 is a journal 74 which journals a stubshaft 75, which has, suitably keyed thereon, an arm 76, which at theouter end carries a shaft 77, which rotatably mounts a roller 78 whichin raised position has its axis parallel to the axis of the car axle andin contact with a car wheel slightly above the track, while in loweredposition the roller is out of the way and will not engage the car wheel.

The stub shaft also has keyed thereon an arm 30 which makes pivotalconnection at 81 with a piston rod of a piston and rod combination 82which is manipulated by a fluid cylinder 83 pivotally mounted at 84 on abracket 85 on the bottom carriage 70. The cylinder has a fluidconnection at 86 to cause it to raise the roller and a fluid connectionat 87 to cause it to retract the roller, the operating mediumconveniently being air under pressure.

Mounted on the bottom carriage 70 as best seen in F168. 1 to 4 andextending at right angles to the direction of the railway track, thereare spaced horizontal guides 88 held at the ends in brackets 90 mountedon the bottom carriage 70. Slidable bearings 91, suitably ball bearings,on the guides 88 position a top carriage 92 in slidable relation to thetrack.

The top carriage 92 includes spaced upwardly extending trunnion bearingguides 93 which laterally restrain and guide trunnion bearing blocks 94,each of which is urged by a helical compression spring 95 in one of thetrunnion bearing guides toward the position which will retain the closeragainst moving away from the journal box lid, but will yield against theaction of the springs to let the closer travel over a lip or projection96 at the outer end of the lid. Each trunnion bearing block 94 journalsa trunnion 97 on an axis slightly inclined to the horizontal in thedirection to make the upper part of manipulator cylinder 98 supportedthereon more remote from the track. One trunnion block 94 on one side isspring urged upward and the other on the other side is spring urgeddownward.

Manipulator cylinder 98 manipulates a piston and rod combination 100under fluid pressure. Pressure to raise the piston is introduced byfluid connection 111) and pressure to lower the piston is applied byfluid connection 111, the operating medium being preferably air underpressure. At the upper end of the piston rod there is mounted a lidcloser 112. This has an arm 1 13 extending in the direction of forwardcar motion so as to reach over the lid from the side, and the arm 113engages the lid first from above by a rotatable roller 1 14.

The manipulator cylinder 98 when in inactive position is inclined orcanted in the trailing direction with respect to car motion by a cockingfluid cylinder pivotally mounted at 131 on the top carriage, andmanipulating a piston and rod combination 132 which is pivotallyconnected at 133 to the closer cylinder 98. The cocking cylinder 130 hasa fluid connection 134 at the end which moves closer cylinder 98 intococking position, and a fluid connection 135 at the end which erectscloser cylinder 98.

A piston and rod combination Ml operates in a fluid cylinder 141energized suitably by air under pressure from connection 142, theopposite end of cylinder 141 being connected constantly to theatmosphere at 143. The cylinder is pivotally mounted at M4 in a bracket145 on the base. The piston and rod combination operatively connects tothe bottom carriage to retract it.

The bottom carriage at the outer end has a bracket 146 which mounts afluid cylinder 147 having opposite fluid connections 1418 and 150 andpositioning a piston and rod combination 151, the rod at the outer endconnecting to the top carriage at 152. Fluid pressure such as air underpressure operates the piston.

In FIG. 5 we show a fluid diagram for operating the closer of theinvention, illustrating a fluid pressure (suitably air) line and anexhaust line 161. Fluid cylinder 83 for raising and lowering the rolleris actuated by a plunger-type solenoid valve 162 in a cylindrical casing163 having fixed ports 164i and 165 connected to exhaust and fixed ports166 and 167 connected to fluid pressure. At the opposite side a fixedport 168 corresponding in position to port 165 and a fixed port 171)corresponding in position to port 166 are connected to the retractingside of cylinder 83 to move the roller 78 into its position above thetrack. Fixed port 171 opposite to and corresponding in position to port164 and fixed port 172 opposite to and corresponding in position to port167 are connected to the end of the cylinder 83 to advance the pistonand thus retract the roller 73 beneath the track. All of the fixed portsin this and the other valves are equally spaced.

The valve 162 is actuated by an electric solenoid 173, surrounding anarmature on the valve, to urge it to the position in which annularmovable valve passage 1741 will connect port 166 having fluid pressureto port in order to retract the piston, and annular movable passage 175in valve 162 will connect the opposite end of the cylinder to exhaustthrough ports 171 and 164. The valve 162 is biased in inactive positionby helical compression spring 176 and in this inactive position, asshown, fluid pressure through port 167, passage 174 and port 172actuates the piston to lower roller 78 below the rail, while theopposite end of the valve piston at connection 86 is connected toexhaust through port 168, passage 175 and port 165.

Top carriage actuating cylinder 147 is operated by electric solenoidvalve 180 having a housing 180' which has at one side equally spacedstationary ports 181, 183, 183 and 184, and at the other siderespectively opposite ports 185, 186, 187 and 188. The source of fluidpressure 160 is connected to ports 181 and 182. The exhaust is connectedto ports 183 and 18%. Ports 185 and 188 are connected to the end of topcarriage actuating cylinder 147 (connection 148) which advances thepiston when connected to fluid pressure. Ports 1% and 187 are connectedto the end of top carriage actuating cylinder 147 (connection 150) whichretracts the piston.

in deenergized position, solenoid valve 180 provides fluid pressure 161)from port 182 through annular valve passage 191, port 186 and connection150 to the end of cylinder 147 which retracts the piston. From the otherend of the cylinder exhaust is provided by connection 148, port 188,annular valve passage 1911, and port 184 to exhaust 16!. Valve 180 isbiased to inactive position by helical compression spring 193.

When solenoid 194i is energized, it acts on the armature to shift valve180 to activated position. In this position fluid pressure 160 iseffective through port 181, annular valve passage 191, port 185 andconnection 148 to shift the piston in cylinder M7 to advance position.Exhaust from the other end of cylinder 147 is accomplished by connection150, port 187, annular valve passage 190 and port 183 to exhaust 161.

Solenoid plunger valve 220 in cylindrical casing 221 has a fixed port222 opposite and cooperating with a fixed port 223, a fixed port 224opposite and cooperating with a fixed port 225, a fixed port 226opposite and cooperating with a fixed port 227, and a fixed port 228opposite and cooperating with a fixed port 231). The ports are equallyspaced. Fixed ports 222 and 228 connect with fluid connection 11.0 atthe end of manipulator cylinder 98 which is adapted to admit fluidpressure to advance the piston, and fixed ports 224 and 226 connect withfluid connection 111 at the end of manipulator cylinder 911 which isadapted to admit pressure to retract the piston.

Fixed ports 223 and 225 are connected to fluid pressure at 1611, andfixed ports 227 and 230 are connected to exhaust at 161. Valve 220 isbiased by helical compression spring 231 toward the inactive positionshown, in which annular passage 233 connects fluid pressure toconnection 111 to move down the piston in manipulator cylinder 93, andannular passage 232 connects opposite fluid connection 110 ofmanipulator cylinder 93 to exhaust.

When electric solenoid 2341, surrounding an armature on the valve, isenergized, valve 221) is shifted, so that movable annular passage 233connects fluid pressure to connection 110 at the end of manipulatorcylinder 98 to raise the closer, while movable annular port 232 connectsconnection 111 at the opposite end of manipulator cylinder 98 toexhaust.

A cocking valve 245 is in a cocking valve cylinder 246 having on oneside stationary ports 247, 248, 251) and 251 respectively oppositestationary ports 252, 253, 254 and 255. Ports 252 and 255 are connectedto the end 135 of cocking cylinder 131) (connection 135) in which fluidpressure will cause the closer to erect and ports 253 and 254 areconnected to the end 134 of cocking cylinder 130 in which fluid pressurewill cause the closer to cock. Ports 247 and 248 are connected to thesource of fluid pressure 160 which will energize the cylinder, and ports250 and 251 are connected to exhaust 161.

When the valve 245 is not energized, the cocking cylinder is in cockedposition due to fluid pressure 160 through port 248 and annular valvepassage 257 to port 253, and connection 134 to the end of cockingcylinder 130 which causes cocking, exhaust taking place from the otherend of cylinder 130 through connection 135, port 255, annular valvepassage 256 and port 251, to exhaust 161.

The valve 245 is urged to inactive position by helical compressionspring 258. The valve can be shifted to energized position by a solenoid260 acting on an armature connected to the valve. When the valve 245 isenergized, cocking cylinder 130 is shifted to the position to erect thecloser, by fluid pressure 160, port 247, annular valve passage 257, port252 and connection 135. Exhaust from the other end of cocking cylinder130 occurs then through connection 134, port 254, annular valve passage256 and port 250, to exhaust 161.

Bottom carriage retracting cylinder 141 has a connection 142 at itsactive end and a connection 143 at the opposite end, which is constantlyopen to exhaust. Connection 142 is connected to fixed port 240 in ahousing 241 of valve 242, port 240 being opposite housing fixed port243, which is connected to fluid pressure at 160. Valve 242 is biased byhelical compression spring 244 to the inactive position shown. Whenelectric solenoid 245 by its armature energizes valve 242, annularmovable passage 246 connects fixed ports 240 and 243 to admit fluidpressure 160 to connection 142 to retract the bottom carriage by movingthe piston and rod.

Control of the mechanism is conveniently accomplished by the circuitshown in FIG. 6. A series of latch relays 270, 271, 272, 273 and 274each has a relay actuating and latching coil 275, 276, 277, 278 or 280,a relay switch 281, 282, 283, 284 or 285 closed and latched by theactuating coil, and a relay unlatching coil 286, 287, 288, 290 or 291,which when energized opens the relay switch.

On relay 270 the energizing coil 275 is connected across electricalleads 292 and 293 of a commercial electric power source, convenientlyalternating current, through track trip switch 294 (FIG. 1) which isengaged by a wheel 42 of the railway car before the car comes to thecloser, to close and latch relay switch 281 and energize and holdenergized solenoid 173 connected to the power source, of solenoid valve162 to raise rollers 78 on both sides of the track and cause the railwaycar to bring the closer mechanism into proper relation along the trackwith respect to the axis and journal box to close the lid. Switch 294 isof the type which closes and immediately opens. When time comes tounlatch the relay 270 and deenergize solenoid coil 173, this is done byunlatching coil 286 which is in series across the source with one of thepoles of electrical trip switch 295 on the stationary frame, which isclosed by the bottom carriage in forward motion (FIGS. 1 to 3) and whichthen immediately opens.

Latch relay 271 has its energizing coil 276 in series across the powersource with electrical trip switch 296 (FIGS. 1 to 3) on the base whichis energized by switch abutment 297 on the bottom carriage as the bottomcarriage begins to move forward under the action of the car wheel usingforward the roller 62.

Switch 296 is of the type which instantaneously closes and then opens.Relay 271 closes and latches relay switch 282 and energizes solenoid 194connected across the power source, to advance the piston in top carriagecylinder 147. Relay 271 is unlatched by energizing its unlatching coil287 by momentarily closing and then opening trip switch 301 (FIGS. 1 to3) on the base engaged by the advance of the bottom carriage.

Latch relay 272 has an energizing coil 277 which is in series with limitswitch 302 (FIG. 3) on the top carriage, contacted by switch operator303 on the bottom carriage as it completes its inward motion toward thetrack. Coil 277 is energized by the power source to close and latchrelay switch 283 and energize solenoid 234 connected across the powersource, to cause the piston in manipulator cylinder 98 to projectupward. Relay 272 is unlatched by momentarily closing and then openinglimit trip switch 304 (FIGS. 1 and 2) supported on the top carriage, byengagement with the manipulator cylinder when it is upright, thuscausing the closer to lower and close the lid. As the closer moves downit closes the lid and when it encounters the lip 96 on the lower end ofthe lid, deflects the manipulator cylinder trunnion springs and deflectsthe closer to permit the closer to leave the lower end of the lidwithout shock.

Latch relay 273 has an energizing coil 278 which is energized across thepower source by closing and then immediately opening limit trip switch305, which closes and latches closed relay switch 284 which energizessolenoid 260 connected to the power source to move the piston in cockingcylinder in the direction to bring manipulator cylinder 98 into uprightposition. Switch 305 is closed by switch operator 306 on the manipulatorpiston rod. (FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the closer retracts, switch operator 306 momentarily closes andthen opens limit trip switch 307 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which energizesunlatching coil 290 of relay 273 to open relay switch 284, deenergizesolenoid 260, and shift valve 245 to actuate cocking cylinder 130 tocock the closer cylinder in the trailing direction.

Energizing coil 280 of latch relay 274 is in series across the powersource with another pole of limit trip switch 295 (FIGS. 1 to 3) whichmomentarily closes and then opens when the bottom carriage reaches theend of its travel. Energizing coil 280 closes relay switch 285 andlatches it closed, energizing solenoid 245 across the power source, soas to activate bottom carriage retracting cylinder 14].

The relay 274 is unlatched by energizing unlatching coil 291 by closingand then opening limit trip switch 308 (FIGS. 1 and 2) on the base whenthe bottom carriage retracts. The device is now ready for a new cycle ofoperation.

In operation, assuming the device is fully retracted, when a car movesalong the track in the direction contemplated, each truck actsindependently. The forward wheel closes track switch 294 (FIG. I) andthis operates cylinder 83 in a direction to raise the roller 78 on thebottom carriage into the path of the car wheel and hold it raised. Theforward car wheel encounters the roller and begins to push the bottomcarriage forward with the truck. The bottom carriage is now correctlyaligned to manipulate the lid on the journal box.

As the bottom carriage advances a short distance, switch operator 297(FIG. 2) thereon momentarily closes and then opens limit trip switch 296to move the top carriage toward the rails.

When the top carriage moves all the way in, to a position at which thecloser can operate, switch operator 303 on the bottom carriagemomentarily closes and then opens limit trip switch 302 (FIG. 3). Switch302 operates manipulator cylinder 98 in a direction to raise the closer,which is cocked in the trailing direction (dot-and-dash lines in FIG.2).

When the closer is raised to its limiting upper position, it is in lineto move behind a step or other obstruction on the car to close the lid.Switch abutment 306 closes momentarily and then opens limit trip switch305 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which operates the cocking cylinder 130 in thedirection to raise the manipulator cylinder 98 upright (solid lines inFIG. 2).

When manipulator cylinder 98 is upright, it momentarily closes and thenopens limit trip switch 304 (FIG. 2), which operates the manipulatorcylinder 98 in a direction to move the closer down. As the closer movesdown, its roller rolls down over the lid and closes it, deflecting thecloser cylinder against the action of the springs 95 as it rides overthe lower lip on the lid.

If the particular journal has a roller bearing, the closer neverthelessgoes through the same procedure, without encountering the journal atall.

As soon as the closer retracts, its switch operator 306 momentarilycloses and then opens limit trip switch 307, and this operates cockingcylinder H30 in the direction to again cock manipulator cylinder 98 inthe trailing direction to the car motion. This has the advantage that ifsome incorrect operation occurs, the closer is less likely to be damagedby car motion.

When the bottom carriage advances further, it closes momentarily andthen opens limit trip switch 30H (FIGS. I and 2), which operates topcarriage cylinder 147 in the direction to retract the top carriage.

As the bottom carriage advances further, it momentarily closes and thenopens limit trip switch 295, which energizes bottom carriage retractingcylinder MI in a direction to retract the bottom carriage.Simultaneously a second pole of switch 295 momentarily closes and thenopens to operate roller cylinder 82 in a direction to lower the roller.

At the end of retraction of the bottom carriage, limit trip switch 308(FIGS. 1 and 2) momentarily closes and then opens to release the fluidpressure from bottom carriage retracting cylinder MI.

By using compressed air to operate the cylinders, a cushioning effect isprovided for in case some component fails to fu nction. Thus if thetrack roller is not lowered before the bottom carriage has run to theends of its guides, the car wheel simply pushes the track roller downwithout damage to the device, and continues its forward motion. Innormal operation there is ample time for the closer to move through itscomplete cycle as each car truck is passing by at moderate speed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to It], the opener includes an opener proper 230having a body 23R, located on the trailing side of the lid, and having aseries of projections in the forward direction adapted to extend beneaththe lid, including a lid engaging boss 232, a lid engaging saddle 233and an opposing abutment 234 beyond the saddle.

On the trailing side of the body 23B there is fastened a pivot bracket235 which pivots a limiter 236 at 237. The limiter 236 is pivotallyconnected at 238 to a pull rod 240 which extends through an opening 241in a bracket 2242 supported on the manipulator cylinder 98. Above andbelow the bracket 242 the pull rod is surrounded by helical compressionsprings 2433 and 244 acting on bracket 242 from collars 245 and 246secured on the pull rod. Thus the pull rod is anchored by the opposedsprings which can yield in either direction if shock is applied by thelid to the limiter 236. When the opener is down, there is no upward pullon the pull rod, and the limiter is in raised and inoperative position.As the opener is raised, the pull rod 240 pulls the limiter 236 to itsoperative position above the lid while the opener is engaging the lidfrom below, preventing excessive opening of the lid. In this positionthe lower spring 244 is somewhat compressed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In case the opener encounters any obstruction, as for example by bumpingagainst the journal box as the lid is opened, the springs 95 yield toprevent damage to the mechanism.

In the opener, the mechanism and operation is the same as in the closerwith respect to raising the roller, moving forward the bottom carriagewith the car wheel, and then moving the top carriage toward the rails.

when the top carriage moves all the way in, switch operator 303 (FIG. 8)on the bottom carriage momentarily closes and then opens limit tripswitch 302 (which is physically located in the same position as switch302 in FIG. 3 of the closer, but in the opener circuit (FIG. takes theplace ofswitch 305 in the closer circuit, FIG. 6). This operates cockingcylinder 1130 in the direction to raise the manipulator cylinder uprightso as to engage the opener below the lid to be opened. The opener isthus able to move behind a step or other obstruction on the car.

As soon as the manipulator is upright, it momentarily closes and thenopens limit trip switch 302 which is in the same position as switch 362in the closer electrical circuit (FIG. 6), but switch 302 is on theopener and is closed when the opener engages the lid of the journal box(FIG. 8).

If the particular journal has a roller bearing, switch 2302 never closeson that cycle.

Switch 302 when it closes, energizes the manipulator to raise the openerand open the lid. At the same time the limiter is moved into operatingposition above the lid (FIGS. 8 and 9) to prevent the lid from openingexcessively, the limiter transmitting any shock when struck by the lidto the limiter spring which absorbs the shock.

When the opener is raised, its switch operator 306 momentarily closesand then opens limit trip switch 305' (which is in the same position onFIG. 9 as switch 305 in FIG. 1 on the closer, but which takes the placeof switch 307 in the electrical circuit for the closer, FIG. 6). Switch305 unlatches relay 273 and energizes cocking cylinder in the directionto cock the manipulator cylinder and cause the opener and the limiter tomove to the trailing side of the journal box and the lid.

As soon as the manipulator cylinder is cocked, it momentarily closes andthen opens limit trip switch 304 which is closed by cocking the openercylinder as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. This causes the manipulator cylinderto move the opener down.

Further operation to retract the top carriage, to retract the bottomcarriage, and to lower the roller, follows the procedure for operationof the closer, as explained above.

The switches employed herein are a common commercial type which whenpushed in one direction against internal spring bias momentarily closeand then open. When released the switches retrace while still open undertheir internal spring bias.

In view of our invention and disclosure, variations and modifications tomeet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident toothers skilled in the art to obtain all or part of the benefits of ourinvention without copying the structure shown, and we, therefore, claimall such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope ofour invention.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A journal box lid operator positioned adjacent the railway on whichthe wheels and journal boxes of the car move, comprising a secondarytrack parallel to said railway, a car riage mounted on the secondarytrack and movable there along, rail means on the carriage positionedtransversely of the secondary track, a journal box lid actuator movablymounted on the rail means and makes moving said lid actuator intoposition adjacent to said journal box along said rail means, a tripmounted on the carriage which when the car comes into a particularposition is engaged to cause the car and the carriage to proceedtogether, said journal box lid actuator having (a) head means to contactthe lid, and (b) motor means to actuate the head means to close the lid,and means to bring the trip out of engagement with the car, so that thecarriage no longer travels with the car.

2. A journal box lid operator of claim I in which the trip comprisesroller means which in one position extends above the track intoengagement with the car wheel.

3. A journal box lid operator of claim 1, in which the motor meansbrings the head into a position behind the journal box before closingthe lid.

4. A journal box lid operator of claim 1, including means to return thecarriage to initial position.

5. A journal box lid operator of claim I, including spring meansyieldingly supporting the motor means and permitting the head means toride over an obstruction.

6. A journal box lid operator of claim 1, including means for cantingthe motor means from the vertical and also for erecting the motor meansinto vertical position.

7. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which said means forcanting and also for erecting will cant the motor means toward trailingthe car.

8. A journal box lid operator of claim 7, in which the head means willcontact the lid from the side of the lid which trails in the car inmovement of the car.

9. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which the means for cantingand also for erecting includes pivot means, and the operator alsoincludes spring means supporting the pivot means yieldingly andpermitting the head means to ride over an obstruction.

10. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which said head meansincludes roller means.

11. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which the means forcanting and also for erecting includes pivot means and the canting is tocock the head means to avoid obstruction.

12. A journal box lid operator positioned adjacent the railway on whichthe wheels and journal boxes of the car move, comprising a secondarytrack parallel to said railway, a carriage mounted on the secondarytrack and movable therealong, rail means on the carriage positionedtransversely of the secondary track, a journal box lid actuator movablymounted on the rail means and means for moving said lid actuator intoposition adjacent to said journal box along said rail means, a tripmounted on the carriage which when the car comes into a particularposition is engaged to cause the car and the carriage to proceedtogether, said journal box lid actuator having (a) head means to contactthe lid, and (b) motor means to actuate the head means to open the lid,and means to bring the trip out of engagement with the car, so that thecarriage no longer travels with the car.

13. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, in which the trip comprisesroller means which in one position extends above the track intoengagement with the car wheel.

14. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, in which the motor meansbrings the head means into a position behind the journal box beforeopening the lid.

15. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, including means to returnthe carriage to initial position.

16. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, including spring meansyieldingly supporting the motor means and permitting the head means toride over an obstruction.

17. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, including means for cantingthe motor means from the vertical and also for erecting the motor meansinto vertical position.

18. A journal box lid operator of claim 17, in which said means forcanting and also for erecting will cant the motor means toward trailingthe car.

19. A journal box lid operator of claim 18, in which the head means willcontact the lid from the side of the lid which trails in the car inmovement of the car,

20. A journal box lid operator of claim 17, in which the means forcanting and also for erecting includes pivot means, and the operatoralso includes spring means supporting the pivot means yieldingly andpermitting the head means to ride over an obstruction.

21. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, which includes limiter meanson the head means capable in one position of motion into the path of thelid on the opposite side of the lid from the point at which the headmeans is to contact the lid, and means for moving the limiter means intolimiting position when the motor means is opening the lid.

22. A journal box lid operator of claim 21, which includes resilientcushion means for absorbing shock imparted by the lid to the limiter.

23. A journal box lid operator of claim 17, which includes limiter meansprotruding and positioned to engage the lid on a side opposite to thatto be engaged by the head means 24. A journal box lid operator of claim23, which includes shock-responsive means for supporting the limitermeans.

25. A journal box lid operator of claim 17, in which the means forcanting and also for erecting includes pivot means and the canting is toavoid obstruction.

1. A journal box lid operator positioned adjacent the railway on whichthe wheels and journal boxes of the car move, comprising a secondarytrack parallel to said railway, a carriage mounted on the secondarytrack and movable there along, rail means on the carriage positionedtransversely of the secondary track, a journal box lid actuator movablymounted on the rail means and makes moving said lid actuator intoposition adjacent to said journal box along said rail means, a tripmounted on the carriage which when the car comes into a particularposition is engaged to cause the car and the carriage to proceedtogether, said journal box lid actuator having (a) head means to contactthe lid, and (b) motor means to actuate the head means to close the lid,and means to bring the trip out of engagement with the car, so that thecarriage no longer travels with the car.
 2. A journal box lid operatorof claim 1 in which the trip comprises roller means which in oneposition extends above the track into engagement with the car wheel. 3.A journal box lid operator of claim 1, in which the motor means bringsthe head into a position behind the journal box before closing the lid.4. A journal box lid operator of claim 1, including means to return thecarriage to initial position.
 5. A journal box lid operator of claim 1,including spring means yieldingly supporting the motor means andpermitting the head means to ride over an obstruction.
 6. A journal boxlid operator of claim 1, including means for canting the motor meansfrom the vertical and also for erecting the motor means into verticalposition.
 7. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which said meansfor canting and also for erecting will cant the motor means towardtrailing the car.
 8. A journal box lid operator of claim 7, in which thehead means will contact the lid from the side of the lid which trails inthe car in movement of the car.
 9. A journal box lid operator of claim6, in which the means for canting and also for erecting includes pivotmeans, and the operator also includes spring means supporting the pivotmeans yieldingly and permitting the head means to ride over anobstruction.
 10. A journal box lid operator of claim 6, in which saidhead means includes roller means.
 11. A journal box lid operator ofclaim 6, in which the means for canting and also for erecting includespivot means and the canting is to cock the head means to avoidobstruction.
 12. A journal box lid operator positioned adjacent therailway on which the wheels and journal boxes of the car move,comprising a secondary track parallel to said railway, a carriagemounted on the secondary track and movable therealong, rail means on thecarriage positioned transversely of the secondary track, a journal boxlid actuator movably mounted on the rail means and means for moving saidlid actuator into position adjacent to said journal box along said railmeans, a trip mounted on the carriage which when the car comes into aparticular position is engaged to cause the car and the carriage toproceed together, said journal box lid actuator having (a) head means tocontact the lid, and (b) motor means to actuate the head means to openthe lid, and means to bring the trip out of engagement with the car, sothat the carriage no longer travels with the car.
 13. A journal box lidoperator of claim 12, in which the trip comprises roller means which inone position extends above the track into engagement with the car wheel.14. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, in which the motor meansbrings the head means into a position behind the journal box beforeopening the lid.
 15. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, includingmeans to return the carriage to initial position.
 16. A journal box lidoperator of claim 12, including spring means yieldingly supporting themotor means and permitting the head means to ride over an obstruction.17. A journal box lid operator of claim 12, including means for cantingthe motor means from the vertical and also for erecting the motor meansinto vertical position.
 18. A journal box lid operator of claim 17, inwhich said means for canting and also for erecting will cant the motormeans toward trailing the car.
 19. A journal box lid operator of claim18, in which the head means will contact the lid from the side of thelid which trails in the car in movement of the car.
 20. A journal boxlid operator of claim 17, in which the means for canting and also forerecting includes pivot means, and the operator also includes springmeans supporting the pivot means yieldingly and permitting the headmeans to ride over an obstruction.
 21. A journal box lid operator ofclaim 12, which includes limiter means on the head means capable in oneposition of motion into the path of the lid on the opposite side of thelid from the point at which the head means is to contact the lid, andmeans for moving the limiter means into limiting position when the motormeans is opening the lid.
 22. A journal box lid operator of claim 21,which includes resilient cushion means for absorbing shock imparted bythe lid to the limiter.
 23. A journal box lid operator of claim 17,which includes limiter means protruding and positioned to engage the lidon a side opposite to that to be engaged by the head means
 24. A journalbox lid operator of claim 23, which includes shock-responsive means forsupporting the limiter means.
 25. A journal box lid operator of claim17, in which the means for canting and also for erecting includes pivotmeans and the canting is to avoid obstruction.